BCEC leads the way with a strong start to 2021
As one of the first convention centres in Australia to reopen in 2020, BCEC continues to host increasing numbers of successful events into 2021.
In the first quarter of 2021, the Centre hosted 113 events welcoming 71,571 patrons through the doors, receiving exceptional feedback from organisers about their positive experiences in a COVID Safe environment.
Five conventions, four public exhibitions, and a host of corporate functions including breakfasts, lunches and dinners were among events held during the January to March period. Exhibitions exceeded attendance expectations recording some 36,000 patrons across those events, including The Pregnancy, Babies & Children’s Expo and The Home Show 2021, the first home show to take place in Australia since COVID.
Although still cautiously optimistic, we believe the events industry is entering a new phase of recovery. With events staging a comeback it is time to reset the industry and BCEC is one of the best placed venues in Australia to take advantage of an improving business environment.
Talk to our Team about how our safe event protocols and proven track record during this period can help you successfully host your next event.
Call 07 3308 3063
Best Regards,
Robert O’Keeffe (AM)
General Manager, BCEC
Highlight events during the first quarter included the sold-out Business Chicks Breakfast with Julia Gillard, International Women’s Day events, the Keno & Clubs Queensland Awards for Excellence 2021, and National Young Leaders Day which saw the Centre welcome 2000 emerging leaders.
Organiser of the popular, The Baby to Toddler Show, which saw eager mums, dads and grandparents queuing at the Exhibition Hall doors prior to opening, Talk2.Media and Events Director Matt Pearce told BCEC he was very happy with the outcome of the event. “We both shared the ultimate goal to stage a successful event and that was achieved by the strong collaborative team effort with BCEC who consulted with us from the first stages of planning through to delivery.”
A very special partner event during the period was Queensland Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Gala Season opening night post performance celebration attracting a star-studded cast. The glamorous event also marked the return of the much-celebrated Queensland Ballet company to the stage following months of COVID restrictions.
Read: Trucks get ready to roll
The Brisbane Truck Show, one of the largest exhibitions held in Australia, returns to the Centre in May. The biggest event of its type in the country, attracting audiences from far and wide and appealing to all ages, it showcases the very latest in trucks, trailers and transport technology.
The Show’s home for the past 10 years, the Centre looks forward to what is one of the most anticipated events on the BCEC calendar. The Brisbane Truck Show is a prized event for Brisbane attracting more than 30,000 visitors.
The Brisbane Truck Show May 13 –16, tickets on sale now.
Read: International conventions in the frame
A positive sign of increasing confidence among both locals on the ground and the global meetings industry, is the recent upswing in the number of international conferences confirming for BCEC and Brisbane.
The team at BCEC, working with partners Tourism & Events Queensland and Brisbane EDA, has secured 17 international bid wins over the past 12 months across health, science, technology, agriculture, mining and social welfare, expected to deliver some 20,000 delegates and more than 100,000 bed nights to the city of Brisbane.
Among the more recent wins were two large international conferences expected to attract 8,000 and 2,000 delegates respectively providing a much needed boost to the sector.
The Centre has 81 confirmed conventions through to the end of 2021 with a further 30 in the pipeline.
Read: Brisbane’s Olympic hopes
In March we were proud to host more than 400 guests, including South East Queensland Mayors, Olympians and Paralympians, and Committee for Brisbane members at the launch of Brisbane 2033: Our Olympics and Paralympics Legacies by Australian Olympic Council President, John Coates AC.
Over the past 12 months, more than 25 Committee for Brisbane members – companies, organisations and individuals – worked to develop the policy paper. Brisbane 2033: Our Olympics and Paralympics Legacies focuses on the question of what the legacies should be one year after the event. The paper identifies challenges and opportunities for South East Queensland and how the community could benefit from the activity, attention and accelerated investment associated with the Games.
Five-time Olympian, Sydney 2000 Olympic beach volleyball gold medallist and friend of BCEC, Nat Cook OAM OLY started off proceedings with a rousing call for Brisbane to celebrate the opportunity to host the 2032 Games.
Brisbane should know whether or not it has secured the rights to host the 2032 Games by the middle of this year. Fingers crossed.
The first few months of 2021 brought announcements of exciting new shows coming to the Centre.
Tina Arena, with her national tour Enchante: The Songs of Tina Arena on stage in the Centre’s Great Hall on May 2, followed by Ant Middleton, the British adventurer and television personality; Creative Generation – featuring the best young performing talents in Queensland State Schools and drawing an audience from across the state in July; followed by Sooshi Mango, the Australian comedy troupe; Prada Clutch’s All-Drag Revue in August; and Grammy nominated David Gray – White Ladder 20th Anniversary Tour.
Watch this space for more announcements.
Visit our What’s On guide for more shows and to purchase tickets or click to subscribe for new event alerts straight to your inbox each month.
Read: Chef shares his secrets for children’s charity
BCEC Executive Chef, David Pugh, recipient of numerous chefs hats during his high-profile restaurant career and today one of Australia’s leading contemporary chefs, has shared some of his recipes with the national children’s charity, Variety.
Pugh, who has enjoyed a long association with Variety dating back to 2009, has contributed to the recently published Variety of Chefs Cookbook and was one of number of leading Chefs from all over Australia who shared their favourite recipes. Chef Pugh, a dedicated #eatqld champion chose Seared Hervey Bay scallops, cauliflower, golden sultanas, Indian spices, tomato and finger lime salsa – showcasing the very best of local Queensland produce.
Prepay online and park stress free
The Centre has introduced a new online booking system for car parking. There are 1500 easy to access undercover parking spaces, multiple entry points, on site security, and 24/7 access in the heart of South Bank Cultural Precinct and an easy walk across the river to the city centre.
Parking
BCEC is now a cashless venue
To ensure the health and safety of our guests, BCEC has adopted contactless payment methods throughout the Centre and encourages event organisers to follow our lead, using contactless ticketing measures.
